FULL SPECTRUM THEATRE

CHILD SAFETY & WELLBEING POLICY

1. Embedding a Child Safe Culture

Full Spectrum Theatre (FST) is committed to ensuring child safety is embedded in our governance, leadership, and culture. This includes:

  • A zero-tolerance approach to child abuse.

  • Leadership actively promoting child safety.

  • Ensuring child safety is a core part of decision-making processes.

  • Regular training and discussions around child safety at all levels.

2. Children’s Participation and Empowerment

FST values children’s voices and ensures they have opportunities to express concerns. We:

  • Encourage children to actively participate in shaping their experience.

  • Provide safe and confidential ways for children to express their thoughts.

  • Teach children about their rights and empower them to speak up.

3. Involving Families and Communities in Child Safety

Families and the broader community play a crucial role in child safety. FST:

  • Actively seeks family input in decision-making.

  • Engages with families through open communication and feedback loops.

  • Provides accessible information about our child safety policies.

4. Equity and Respect for Diversity

We are committed to ensuring all children feel safe and included, regardless of background. FST:

  • Creates an inclusive space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

  • Supports children with disabilities and those from diverse cultural and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds.

  • Has a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination and racism.

5. Robust Child Safety Policies and Procedures

FST ensures our child safety policies are clear, accessible, and enforced. We:

  • Have publicly available child safety policies.

  • Train all staff and volunteers on these policies.

  • Review and update policies regularly.

6. Child Safety in Recruitment, Screening, and Training

FST ensures all adults working with children are suitable and well-trained. We:

  • Conduct rigorous screening, including Working with Children Checks and Police Checks.

  • Provide mandatory child safety training to all personnel.

  • Have ongoing supervision and performance evaluation for all staff and volunteers.

7. Clear and Accessible Child-Focused Complaints Processes

Children and families must feel safe reporting concerns. FST:

  • Has clear steps for reporting concerns.

  • Appoints a Child Safety Officer to handle reports confidentially.

  • Protects whistleblowers and ensures no retaliation for reporting concerns.

  • Reports all criminal matters immediately to Victoria Police (000).

8. Child Safety Education for Staff and Volunteers

All staff and volunteers are trained to understand child safety and their responsibilities. This includes:

  • Annual refresher training on child protection policies.

  • Education on recognizing and responding to abuse and harm.

  • Training on culturally safe and inclusive environments.

9. Safe Physical and Online Environments

FST takes proactive steps to ensure all environments are child-safe. We:

  • Conduct regular risk assessments of performance spaces, classrooms, and online interactions.

  • Set clear guidelines for online engagement between staff and children.

  • Ensure supervision is in place to prevent risks of harm.

10. Regular Review and Continuous Improvement

To ensure ongoing compliance with child safety standards, FST:

  • Reviews this policy at least every two years or after any major incident.

  • Seeks feedback from children, families, and staff.

  • Analyzes incident reports to identify areas for improvement.

11. Child Safety Policies and Procedures are Documented and Enforced

We ensure our child safety policies are well-documented and actively upheld. This includes:

  • Maintaining clear policies on risk assessment, recruitment, reporting, and training.

  • Ensuring all staff and volunteers understand and adhere to child safety policies.

  • Making policies accessible to children, families, and the wider community.

Reporting Concerns


For any concerns or to report a child safety issue, please contact our Child Safety Officer:

Jenny Heriot
Email: jenny@fullspectrumtheatre.com.au
Phone: 0423 376 055

In case of immediate danger, call 000.

Last updated: 19 Feb 2026

Supporting legislation

Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic) (including Child Safe Standards)

Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic) (including reporting to Child Protection)

Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) (including Failure to Protect and Failure to Disclose offences)

Wrongs Act 1958 (Vic) (including Part XIII – Organisational liability for child abuse)

Full Spectrum Theatre acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we operate and pays respect to Elders past, present, and emerging.